Building named after 1st SEAL killed in Iraq War

The Naval Special Warfare Group 1 Training Detachment Building officially became the AO2 (SEAL) Marc A. Lee Training Center this week. Lee was the first SEAL to be killed in the Iraq War.
— John Gastaldo

The Naval Special Warfare Group 1 Training Detachment Building officially became the AO2 (SEAL) Marc A. Lee Training Center this week. Lee was the first SEAL to be killed in the Iraq War.
— John Gastaldo

Several speakers spoke of Lee in glowing terms, remembering an outgoing individual with a first-rate sense of humor and strong work ethic. Former President George W. Bush sent in a letter that was read at the dedication honoring Lee’s sacrifice.

Inside the Marc A. Lee Training Center, there are now numerous items to memorialize the man, including photos, a video, medals, citations, his military uniform and even one of Lee’s old soccer uniforms.

“He set the standard of excellence as a SEAL and really more importantly as a person,” said Capt. Collin Green, the commanding officer of SEAL Team 3 when Lee was killed.

“As a SEAL, he died basically protecting his teammates. And as a person, I think it was his humility, his compassion and his message. For me, his letter really reflects who he was and what he was feeling at the time. I think it was very profound.”

Willink, who was the task unit commander of SEAL Team 3 in Iraq in Ramadi in 2006, said that his inspiration to push for naming the former training detachment building after Lee came from a training center in Imperial Valley. That desert-based facility is named after Billy Machen, the first SEAL killed in Vietnam.

Willink said during his training there, he learned everything about Machen. He wants future SEALs who come through Coronado to learn everything about his friend and teammate.

“In this building that bears his name, warriors will follow his lead,” Willink told the crowd. He later added privately, “They’re going to know how he lived and how he died and live up to the standard that he set.”